Author Archives: Sandra Parr

Last evening was the crux.

Again the sun shone as we arrived for the performance so there was opportunity to take more photos of us all dressed properly! Another door to go in and another struggle to find our way to the gallery at the rear of the stage. Another two weeks and we might have found our way around the Casa da Musica.

 The Mahler probably went better technically last night but somehow for me it didn`t quite have the zing of the night before (the one in mufti). Our entrance on to the stage, so well organised and tidy thanks to our stage manager, was rather wasted as the audience wasn`t yet in situ.

 The auditorium was close to being full (technically it was sold out with a waiting list), only a dozen seats or so unoccupied. I loved the fact that every seat has a little light on the end of the armrest and as the house lights dimmed we were left looking at a galaxy of stars.

 My impression was that the orchestra at the Casa da Musica was louder than the Phil but that might have been due to the venue which was so very different to Liverpool Cathedral (and we were much closer to the players on stgage). The tuba player didn`t wear a hat.

 Then it was over, seemingly in a flash (not often you could say that about Mahler 8), and we were out and the night was young because it had been an early start, and this was the opportunity to party. Some groups went off to pre-booked restaurants still in their finery, and very fine they looked, too. Others were down to the last clean shirt. Coats reappeared because it had gone cool after dark.

 There were some silent coffee drinkers at breakfast and some sore heads on the coach this morning. I know quite a few people are looking forward to a decent cup of tea … out of a teapot.

 And now we are going home – the charter plane awaits.

 This was my first tour with the RLPC though I have been on expeditions with other groups in the past. I have been warmed by the integration of everyone. Cliques have not formed and individuals have drifted from group to group with freedom and ease. No-one was left out unless they wanted to be left out. There has been much laughter, support for those who had the odd minor misfortune, and very little moaning or complaint because there has been so little to moan or complain about. We have made new friends and enjoyed the unlimited company of old ones.

And in conclusion I have decided that altos are the real party animals so I`d like to be an alto when I grow up!

 Posted by a member of the RLPC

RLPC BLOG DAY 3:2
 
The bar is full to overflowing. We`ve all been let out of school early!
 
We arrived at the Casa da Musica for this evening`s rehearsal and it was announced to us that it is to be an open rehearsal-cum-performance with audience. Disaster! Why? Because we have all turned up in mufti: jeans, vests, shorts, sandals, no folders, wet hair. How can we perform in this state? What will the audience think when the first half ends and we all bury ourselves in our carrier bags to find the butties and bonbons?
 
Wow! The auditorium is well nigh full. Young people mostly, students from the university nearby, perhaps. How wonderful. Would this happen at home? What a great opportunity for them, and for us.
 
And right in the middle there is Ian. Our Rock. Has he moved since this morning?! Did someone bring him a buttie and a bonbon in the interim?
 
Oh, the soloists are in mufti, too; the tuba player has donned yet another different beanie (I`m really looking forward to seeing what his headgear will be in the actual performance!), and Mr. König has got jeans on – yay! I don`t mind now.
 
We may not be dressed properly but we can sing like it is Real. Within just a few bars I`ve forgotten it is a rehearsal. This Is It. It`s only when Mr. König shouts something that I remember that it IS a rehearsal. Except that it`s a bit rough in places.
 
The first movement ends. I decide this isn`t the right moment to get my buttie out. On we go …
 
I`ve heard that the audience were fascinated by the choir trying to spot where the angelic solo soprano is located so I must remember not to crane my neck to spot her tomorrow at The Real Thing.
 
Big sing, big sing, then it`s over and everyone in the choir gets up and gathers their belongings. I thought we were going to have a post mortem-and-correction session?
 
No?
Ooooh, goody! The bar calls!!!!!

RLPC BLOG Day 3
 
“It`s so cold!” exclaimed the Portugese steward at the Casa da Musica as we went in this morning. Since at least 3 of the RLPC have broken out the shorts and tee shirts it is plain that we do not agree. What a pleasure it was ambling up to the venue this morning in the sunshine. The “lion-on-a-stick” traffic island was sparkling and the choristers assembled for a group photo on the steps were bright with colour.
 
It was a bit of a struggle to get out of bed this morning. Last evening`s rehearsal had taken its toll and we were stiff in the shoulders and headachy as a result.
 
How different the Mahler seems here. We know it so well, and yet it was like starting afresh. Everything is changed: the sound, the view, the distances and delays, even the people we are sitting next to. Seeing Ian up front those first few minutes was a great comfort but it was inevitable we knew we would be tentative to begin with.
 
Mr. König is absolutely charming. (Overheard  - “I`d like to take him home and put him on my mantelpiece!”) Not only a fantastic musician but to conduct a rehearsal in Portugese, German and English without resorting just to Italian musical directions is impressive. But, of course, he is different to Mr. Petrenko and we must learn quickly. Mind you, he had been well coached by Mr. Petrenko: “Text!” “Watch me and trust me!” “No chamber choir pianissimos in this big hall.” Have we heard this before somewhere?!
 
The Casa da Musica is a very unusual building. Sometimes there are doors there and next time you go back they aren`t, and those that are were designed for aircraft hangers or submarines. Corridors aren`t symmetrical which is a bit disorientating. It has a lovely light, fresh, airy feel about it.
 
The seats are on runners. The advantage of that is that they don`t crash when you stand up as in the cathedral back home. It is a bit like sculling in an armchair.
 
I hope the chorister remembers for the rest of his life having “Happy Birthday” sung and played to him by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir and the Orquestra Sinfōnica do Porto Casa da Musica conducted by Christoph König.  What a treat!
 
 

We’re in Porto, and after the initial thunderstorm, we’re finally enjoying good weather, fine wine and the conductor’s not bad-looking either!

Second rehearsal went well, just about to go for the final run-through before tomorrow night’s concert.

Feeling refreshed after a beautiful afternoon by the river. Hope it’s still like this tomorrow for our boat trip; if not, following local advice, we head to the bar as the port tastes amazing!

From Hannah & Ella, 2nd sops

RLPC BLOG DAY 1
 
Sunshine. Warm. A beautiful day.
No, not Porto – Manchester.
This is the first time I have ever flown from UK to southern Europe leaving sun and warmth behind in exchange for heavy rain, thunder, lightning, thrashing wind and cool.
There was a hint as we descended.
This was the most uncomfortable descent I`ve made in the last 30 years. No chance of an automated landing: this was serious manual handling by pilot or co-pilot, complete with engines throttling up and down, weaving from side to side, yawing, and those big sudden drops that leave you trying to grab at anything that is still. I grabbed my neighbour. My neighbour grabbed the sickbag. Was it me? Potholes in the sky. Glimpses of the ground when there was a teeny break in the cloud, but the first real sight of Portugal was when we seemed just a few feet off the runway.
Yes, we had been primed to break into the Hallelujah Chorus as we landed but it seemed more like a prayer of salvation than just a flash performance.
Braving the elements to find the coaches meant that those with the heaviest cases were less likely to be blown off their feet. Choristers needed tying down.
I heard 40 minutes on the coach but it seemed much less before we saw the Casa de Musica, the Bose-like performance building, and knew we were close to our destination.
A scrum in the hotel lobby to collect keys then dispersal before reassembling for, by now, essential G&Ts, etc., in front of the footie in the bar. By the way, we don`t do lighting in the bar so bring your own torch.
I have to say, the room is fabulous. I have never been issued with a complimentary bath sponge before, even though I have previously experienced neatly folded toilet paper. Ooooh, and a wardrobe that lights up inside when you open the door. My spare pair of shoes and concert blacks are swamped in all that space.  I wish I had enough of value to warrant opening the safe. I know – I`ll put my Mahler score in there. It`s the only thing I`m worried about losing.
A panic about getting the free wi-fi working on the laptop, but I see I`m not the only one with the same problem.
Then off into town for sumat t`eat. A bus ride to the riverside and some fantastic fish. Spectacularly lit up with ongoing lightning. Aaaagh! Wonderful value meal and very, very palatable wine, with pyrotechnics thrown in. Who could ask for more?
I shall sleep well tonight.

From member of RLPC bass section